Cawood was the ‘Voice of the Wildcats’

Cawood Ledford, the beloved “Voice of the Wildcats” for 39 years, died this morning at Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.

Known as the consummate professional, Mr. Ledford’s career spanned five decades, earning the distinction of the most honored and most celebrated sportscaster in Kentucky history. Fans always will remember his trademark phrases, such as “the Wildcats will be moving left to right on your radio dial” and “the Cats have gone to war,” or simply, “Hello everybody, this is Cawood Ledford.”

Mr. Ledford, known to all as “Cawood,” was voted “Sportscaster of the Year” 22 times in the state. In addition to his service to the University of Kentucky, he was known as one of the most renowned thoroughbred racing sportscasters in the nation. His voice was familiar to fans of the Kentucky Derby as he called the “Run for the Roses” for 22 years. Three times he won the racing industry’s highest honor, the prestigious Eclipse Award. Two times he won the “Englehard Award” for excellence in his coverage of horse racing. He also has received the “Silver Horseshoe” honor from the Kentucky Derby Festival for his contributions to racing and the “Dean Eagle Award” for his Kentucky Derby coverage.

But it was his work with the Wildcats that garnered him his reputation as one of the nation’s finest broadcasters. The graduate of Centre College began his broadcasting career at WHLN Radio in Harlan in 1951. He began calling UK football and basketball games for WLEX Radio in 1953, competing with other radio networks for listeners while sharpening his skills working solo. In 1956, he moved to Louisville and began a 22-year career with WHAS Radio while still calling the games for the Wildcats. In 1967, after as many as five different networks were carrying the broadcasts, exclusive rights were granted to UK football and basketball and Mr. Ledford was named the Wildcats’ play-by-play announcer.

He worked for a number of coaches at Kentucky. His first season calling football was Bear Bryant’s last season as the Wildcats’ coach. In addition, he called games for Blanton Collier, Charlie Bradshaw, John Ray, Fran Curci, Jerry Claiborne and Bill Curry. In basketball, he worked for the legendary Adolph Rupp until his retirement in 1972. He also called games for Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton and Rick Pitino, retiring following the 1992 season along with the outgoing senior class of “Unforgettables” – Richie Farmer, Sean Woods, Deron Feldhaus and John Pelphrey – the team that lost to Duke in overtime in the East Region finals.

He was named the top college basketball announcer in the nation on four occasions and broadcast the NCAA Final Four on a national radio network for 18 years, the most of any announcer in history.

Mr. Ledford received the ultimate honor, induction in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994. He was the first person, other than a former player or coach, to have his jersey retired in Rupp Arena. He also owns the distinction of being the first person to be inducted into both the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition to his work with UK Athletics, Mr. Ledford covered minor league baseball, the World Series, the state basketball tournament, The Masters and the heavyweight boxing championship, including extensive coverage of former champion Muhammad Ali. Other highlights of his illustrious career include:

• In 1992, he was named the Kentucky Sportsman of the Year by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
• In 1993, he was awarded the Spirit of Excellence from Rotary International and he was named a Distinguished Rural Kentuckian by Kentucky’s Rural Electric Cooperatives.
• In 1994, he became only the fifth announcer to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., and received the Kentuckian Award from the A.B. “Happy” Chandler Foundation.
• In 1998, he was one of five recipients of the OAK, an outstanding alumnus of a Kentucky university or college, presented by the Kentucky Advocates of Higher Education.
• In 1999, he was chosen as one of the 50 most significant Kentucky sports figures of the 20th century by the Lexington Herald-Leader and the only member of the media to make the list.
• In 2001, was given the Lindsey Nelson Award, which is presented annually by the Knoxville Quarterback Club to an outstanding collegiate broadcaster who has promoted or advanced the game of college football.
• He was chosen by the Gannett News Service as the best college basketball sportscaster in history.

Mr. Ledford was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Kentucky, Centre College and Cumberland College. He has been officially recognized by both the Kentucky and Tennessee Legislatures and in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.

After leaving WHAS Radio in 1978, he founded Cawood Ledford Productions in Lexington. The company published “Cawood on the Cats,” a weekly newspaper covering UK sports, and produced numerous radio and television shows. In addition to his broadcasting career, he authored eight books.

Mr. Ledford is survived by his wife Frances, his brother Jim and sister Eloise. Service arrangements are pending as well as arrangements for a memorial service in Lexington.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Cawood Ledford Scholarship Fund at the University of Kentucky or the Cawood Ledford Endowed Scholarship at Cumberland College. The UK fund was established to assist former student-athletes in completing their degree requirements. Checks can be made payable to the Cawood Ledford Scholarship Fund and mailed to UKAA, c/o Kathy DeBoer, Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY 40506-0019. The Cumberland College fund was set up to assist Kentucky students. Donations can be made to Cumberland College, Office of the President, 6191 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Selected Quotes

Jim Host – Chief Executive Officer of Host Communications

“Cawood was the ultimate in genteel class. He exuded a quiet confidence, but always remembered who he was, where he came from and who he worked for. He will be remembered as the best college basketball broadcaster in the history of the game. Once he began to call the games for the NCAA Radio Network in 1976, he earned a national reputation and in turn, had many opportunities to leave. I sat in on many of those discussions, but he chose to stay here instead because it was here in Kentucky that he was most comfortable.”

Ralph Hacker – Former President, WVLK Radio

“Without question, he was a great ambassador for not only UK sports, but the University of Kentucky. His reach was far beyond the bounds of UK and the state’s borders. He was a great friend.”

Larry Ivy – University of Kentucky’s Director of Athletics

“Cawood was a dear friend for 33 years. He was a valuable member of our athletics family and was the link between our football and basketball programs and our fans for 39 years — not only in the state of Kentucky, but nationwide. He was the epitome of recognizable class, a true gentleman. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Frances, and his family, on the loss of a true Kentucky legend.”

Tubby Smith – Kentucky basketball coach

“Cawood meant as much to fans of Kentucky football and basketball as anyone ever has. I struggle to come up with the proper words to describe how good he was other than just saying that he was ‘the best.’ Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.”

Lee T. Todd, Jr. – President of the University of Kentucky

“This is a tremendous loss for the University of Kentucky family. Our hearts go out to Cawood’s family. His love for the University of Kentucky was matched only by the University’s love forhim.”

Charles T. Wethington, Jr. – Former President, University of Kentucky

“I am deeply saddened by the silencing of this legendary ‘Voice of the Wildcats.’ But the voice of Cawood Ledford will live on in our hearts forever.”

Bill Curry – Former Kentucky football coach

“First of all, Cawood is one of the finest men I’ve ever known. In his own dignified way, he found ways to educate me in areas that I needed it. There are some people who have the ability to help others without being pushy or offensive, and Cawood had that kind of tact.”Carolyn and I deeply appreciate the support that Cawood and Frances continued to give us throughout our time here. No matter what happened, they continued to be consistent friends. We found ourselves saying, ‘We hope we can be the kind of friends that Cawood and Frances have been to us.'”

Rick Pitino – Former Kentucky basketball coach

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a great friend in Cawood Ledford. He was a special man whose class, dignity and friendship I will always cherish. Our sincere sympathy goes out to his wife Frances. We love you Cawood.”

— UK —